The Broncos are among the most stable teams in football.
They have long-term contracts with head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton. They have what they believe to be a franchise quarterback in place in Bo Nix.
They arrive at the start of training camp this summer, too, with enviable continuity up and down the roster.
Nearly every major contributor on offense returns. There are a couple of question marks defensively with the free agency departure of lineman John Franklin-Myers and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper’s ongoing legal situation, but overall the vast majority of snaps from last year’s run to the AFC Championship Game return for Denver this year.
Still, there are roles to be had and there are always young or ascending players who force their way into the conversation. Other times, those players are thrust into more prominent roles by injury or unforeseen circumstance.
Here, then, are five breakout candidates for the Broncos in 2026. This list is comprised of non-rookies who, for one reason or another, could see their role blossom this fall.
Outside linebacker Que Robinson
Robinson is an easy pick to click and the hype around him has grown all offseason. Still, a true breakout year for the second-year man out of Alabama would represent a major jump in production. The 2025 fourth-round draft pick played in just six games as a rookie but flashed in a major way when he was on the field. Robinson only played 370 defensive snaps in his collegiate career, so he hasn’t been a full-time defensive player since high school. Still, Robinson has a major opportunity in front of him this fall. Thatap in part because of the uncertainty around Cooper’s availability, but itap also of his own making. Paton said Robinson might have the most upside of any member of Denver’s 2025 draft class. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said Robinson can be a starter for the Broncos. Now, he gets the chance to make good on that promise.
Wide receiver Pat Bryant
Yet another 2025 draft pick heading into his second pro season. Bryant started his rookie year clearly behind Troy Franklin in the Broncos’ pecking order at receiver. As the year progressed, though, Denver used Bryant almost as much as Franklin and more than Marvin Mims Jr. He became a reliable target over the middle — Nix, Payton and the Broncos staff love Bryantap toughness in traffic — and also the Broncos’ best perimeter run blocker. Bryant himself said he didn’t have any trouble picking up Payton’s complex system a year ago, but a year under his belt is still sure to help nonetheless. Bryant has plenty of competition and now slots in behind not only Courtland Sutton but also newly acquired Jaylen Waddle in the pecking order. Still, he’s got a chance to turn heads in Year 2.
Outside linebacker Jonah Elliss
Elliss racked up five sacks as a rookie in 2024 but did not make the Year 2 leap last year. Thatap mostly because the outside linebacker dealt with multiple injuries over the course of the season and just never was able to settle into a prolonged period of good health and repetitions. Elliss had shoulder issues in college before injuring his shoulder again in a wild-card loss to Buffalo at the end of his rookie season. Then he had more shoulder trouble along with a hamstring injury in 2025, so staying on the field and available is critical for Elliss. Still, if he can do that, he’ll have a chance to make a big mark in 2026. Like Robinson, part of that is because of the uncertainty with Cooper. Part of it, too, is because he’s a naturally gifted pass-rusher who’s now had enough time to see different looks and approaches from NFL tackles.
Cornerback Jahdae Barron
This list, really, could have been all 2025 draft picks. RJ Harvey could really take a big step forward this year if he improves as a rusher, though 12 touchdowns as a rookie means he already broke out in a way. Sai’Vion Jones could win a major increase in playing time. Even Jeremy Crawshaw has the talent to jump into the league’s upper echelon of punters.
Barron, though, gets the nod because he’s a first-round pick who played 30% as a rookie and also because he’s one of the more fascinating case studies on a talented and deep defense. The Broncos think very highly of him, but there’s no apparent place for him to win a starting job this summer unless he cleanly beats out Riley Moss outside. Joseph, though, will find ways to get the versatile, smart and sure-tackling Barron on the field. Itap also possible — though not guaranteed — that Barron could be the first man in for every starter in the secondary, including safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. Somewhere along the way, Barron is going to get a chance at major playing time. Itap just a matter of when and where.
Defensive lineman Malcolm Roach
Itap not every day a 28-year-old, seventh-year veteran going into his third contract is considered a breakout candidate. Broncos fans already know well what Roach brings to the table, not just in terms of defending the run but in terms of energy and leadership, too.
Still, with Franklin-Myers gone, there are major snaps to be filled and it would not be a surprise if Roach were among those to fill them. Perhaps a young player like Sai’Vion Jones or rookie Tyler Onyedim will prove to be a better pass-rusher, but Roach has continued to get better and better at disrupting quarterbacks and logged a career-high four sacks despite a modest 205 pass rush chances, according to Next Gen Stats. He won’t get near Zach Allen’s 515 rush chances, but even if Roach approaches JFM’s 354 from last year, along with another step forward in his game, that could lead to something that looks like a statistical breakout for Roach.
